It’s red carpet time…for St Francis Special School!

He has been overwhelmed by the response from friends, family and customers of his High St barber shop. They donated clothes, food, nappies and other essentials. Some of the donations came from as far away as West Cork. He took in nearly a full truck load of essentials.

“People are very good,” he told the Killarney Advertiser. “We delivered to Dublin, to an old army hospital and all the donations will be distributed from there. I'd like to thank everyone in Killarney for their generosity, for helping the people from my home country in their time of need."

€400k funding announced for Finnegan’s Cross upgrade

Finnegan’s Cross received €400,000 in funding this week under the 2023 investment programme for regional and local roads.

Finnegan’s Cross, near Kilcummin, has been the scene of several serious collisions in recent years including at least one fatal accident.

This year’s allocation is double the amount set aside under the same scheme last year but that money was unused as Kerry County Council remained in discussion with local landowners.

Local councillor Marie Moloney has been campaigning for years for safety upgrades to the junction.

Last month she brought a deputation of local residents to a meeting of the Killar- ney Municipal District.

The residents were told that if the junction was given funding this year the Council would press ahead with a public consultation and gave an undertaking that the works will start by this September.

“I am calling on Kerry County Council to honour assurances given at that meeting that the works will start in September,”

Cllr Moloney told the Killarney Advertiser.

Finnegan’s Cross is one of 47 road projects and schemes in Kerry that will benefit from the €30,950,225 investment which will supplement local authorities’ own resources expenditure.

The funding was announced on Tuesday morning.

| By Michelle Crean

Up to one thousand people are expected to turn up to what is being anticipated as one of the biggest nights of the year at the INEC next month.

'A Night at the OsKarS' will see teachers, SNAs, the school secretary, house staff, bus escorts, parents, family and members of the children’s therapy team from St Francis Special School, Beaufort, appearing in seven different movies. These ‘movie stars’ will then compete for the highly coveted 'OsKaR' categories: Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor.

The school teamed up with Kevin Rowe Events and a celebrity judging panel includes popular entertainers and TV personalities and your vote will be included on the night. So dress up in your favourite evening gown or tuxedo for a great night out.

"We will all compete on the night for a highly coveted 'OsKaR'," School Principal, Keith Ó Brolacháin, said.

"Our judging panel includes popular entertainers and TV personalities and those attending on the night will also get a chance to vote."

All money raised is going to refurbishing the school's therapy rooms including Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy and Sensory Rooms.

"Get your ticket from any of our school staff, our school reception or via the email below. Tickets cost €25 each, the red carpet entrance from 7pm, show starts at 8pm.

There'll also be an after party with DJ Donal directly after the show. Contact Claire at 064 6644452 for ticket enquiries and sponsorship package details.

Faha Cross and Listry Bridge included in road funding

| By Sean Moriarty

Two dangerous stretches of the road that links Fossa to Killarney are to benefit from separate funding announced by the Department of Transport.

They are two of 47 road projects and schemes in Kerry that will benefit from the €30,950,225 investment confirmed this week.

Faha Cross on the R563 will get €65,000 under the Safety Improvement Works on the Regional and Local Roads element of the scheme.

“This is for the junction near the football field,” local councillor Brendan Cronin told the Killarney Advertiser.

“It is very dangerous as you exit from this junction as you have to be way out on the road to see what is coming.”

Meanwhile, Listry Bridge, on the same stretch of road, will get €75,000 under the Specific Improvement Grants portion of the funding.